Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow

The fabric on the two-seater in the conservatory is ripped, and badly needs to be replaced. Years of hot sunlight beating through the window not only faded the pattern, but also weakened the fibres. Shoulders and arms draped and reclining further deteriorated and wore out the material.

Years of living are taking a toll on all of us. Dear old Dusty barely staggered through a quarter of her favourite walk today – the ‘wet walk’ at Crathes Castle. Oh, the belly laughs she has given me through the years with her water-borne antics, as she used to launch herself off the shore and into the loch only once there were at least two substantial sticks to round up. Then she would swim in pursuit of both, and if they were too big for her mouth, she would ‘herd’ them back to the shore. 

I’m afraid those days are gone for Dusty, but I have high hopes that there might be a ‘wet walk’ in heaven which we can share in the future. 

Change. Life is all about change, and most of us don’t really like it. I know I don’t. I like my friends to continue living in my area and I want everyone I know and love to remain healthy and fit. But I know it isn’t to be. We all, like the fabric on the conservatory furniture, are wearing out, fading and in places, torn.

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. What a startling statement in the Bible, a truth about our Saviour which is encouraging and gives me hope. I am clinging to Jesus, because he won’t change like shifting shadows. He won’t weaken, and he won’t wear out. 

I will crouch underneath God’s everlasting arms, and give thanks for their strength and eternal nature.

Gratitude is the Attitude that ...

Gratitude is the attitude that breaks the chains of an ego-centric world view. Thankfulness sets us free from the cramp of self-absorption, where we think that life revolves around ‘me’. It liberates us to celebrate that actually life revolves around the Son. 

We have so many blessings every day that don’t depend on any self-effort. I’ve just enjoyed the gift of yet another spectacular sunset. It came free of charge, independent of my own efforts or merit. 

I’ve also stood at the door of the supermarket asking for shoppers to fill trolleys with food for those in crisis who have empty cupboards. I watched a lady wheel her trolley back to us and proceed to unload everything except a bunch of flowers into the trolley for the hungry. I had the privilege of seeing a man hand over a bag with eight Christmas puddings. I had the joy of watching a child put in a tin of tomatoes.

Gratitude is the attitude that enables us to be generous. To share lavishly. To shun greed in favour of sharing what we have with those who have less, or nothing at all.

So, we celebrated Thanksgiving in our family last Saturday, a few days ahead of the official American celebration, in order to include Mom and Mhairi before they headed back to California. 

Our tradition for the last several years has been to cut a bare twig and bring it inside, ‘plant’ it in a block of wood and then each of us write on a leaf what we are thankful for this year. 

I’ve not yet read any of them, but they are all there, and God knows the outpouring of our hearts.

It’s great to have a special day where the focus is on giving thanks. It’s even better to spend a few minutes every day, reflecting on the many unearned blessings and gifts which have littered our lives in the last few hours.

Happy Thanksgiving, however you celebrate(d) it.